125 years of enormous privilege

Adam Smith, regarded by many as the father of modern economics, once observed that crop failures caused dearth but that it took “the violence of well-intentioned governments” to convert “dearth into famine.” Throughout the 19th century, governments, social-reformers and subsistence –dwellers learned the enormous human cost that resulted when the poor were left to starve.

Ireland suffered regular famine for more than a century before when what became known as THE Irish Famine first struck the country in 1845. The potato blight travelled across Europe before arriving in Britain and then Ireland, but in most places the links between those who were suffering and those who were in a position to alleviate that suffering were sufficiently established to ensure dearth did not become cataclysmic famine. Not so in Ireland.

The famine lasted until the 1850s, a million starved to death. Nothing would ever be the same again. The blight returned in 1879 but by then the Celtic population of Ireland, who suffered disproportionately in earlier famines, were politically better represented and had structures in place to ensure those in need were assisted. As a result, the 1879 blight caused great hunger but cost fewer lives.

Brother Walfrid lived through the famine of the 1840s. The community who 125 years ago today decided to form a football and athletic club in order to feed the starving either lived through the same hardship, or were the progeny of those who did. All were informed by the actions across the water in 1879. Squalor, disease and starvation afflicted Glasgow, as it did many of the newly industrialised cities of the world. Walfrid and his colleagues were not going to stand idly by and hope for the best.

Celtic Football Club was not the only institution established in those years to cater for the poor. Across Britain others campaigned for clean water, sanitation, better working conditions and occasionally health care, but Celtic were quite unlike any others.

Football had caught the public imagination and benefited from the increased availability of leisure time in the early 20th century. Brother Walfrid could just as easily established a musical troupe to raise funds. If so, there would be no Celtic. Those who met in St Mary’s hall had seen how successful other football clubs were becoming and decided to copy their ways. They watched how successful Hibernian, from Leith, had become and decided Glasgow’s east end would be equally fertile ground.

Hundreds of other football clubs were formed in the 19th century but no others had the unique story of Celtic. If you listen to modern brand consultants you will hear them talk about establishing a legend for your brand. Adorn it with positive, aspirational sentiment that people want to be a part of. Whenever I hear this kind of talk, or watch a business try to position itself along these lines, I think of how getting the foundations right on day one set our club out on this enormous journey.

No one was trying to establish a brand in 1887, in fact, those in charge of the club seemed immune to the concept for over a century, but all of the positive sentiment which is persistently associated with Celtic can be traced back to that meeting at St Mary’s, even down to what might have seemed like small detail. Unlike Hibernian, Celtic would not be a club for members of a church or parish, this would be a club who wanted all members of society to work with, support and play for. From conception, the message of social responsibility was evangelised.

The world is enormously different today than it was back then, and our community reflects those changes, but anyone who counts himself a Celtic fan is a product of the club’s history. You are here for a reason.

Tomorrow night’s opponents proclaim they are ‘more than just a football club’. In their case that is correct, but this is a truism for most football fans. Few will say, ‘Although I turn up every week, there’s nothing special about this place’. Those who understand how much more Celtic are than just a club, know that it is no longer the responsibility of Brother Walfrid, now it is yours and mine. We have the enormous responsibility to take care of that 125-year heritage and, if possible, enhance it. That’s the challenge every time you get your ticket out your pocket, you scribble on a blog, or you’re asked to assist someone in need.

What an enormous privilege.

As well as reading CQN Magazine for FREE here (don’t try to read through the graphic below), you can subscribe for £10 or £20, and our sponsor, Executive Shaving, who offer an enormous range of grooming products, are offering readers a £20 voucher for all £30 CQN Magazine subscribers.

AS Celtic welcome FC Barcelona to town this week, the club is keen to ensure that supporters of both teams can enjoy this momentous occasion.

Celtic are delighted to be back at Europe’s top table. This will be a football fiesta like no other and supporters will be able to see that the wonderful relationship between Celtic and Barca is celebrated.

Therefore, on the day of the match, this Wednesday, November 7, a Fanzone, bringing Celtic and Barcelona fans together to enjoy this great occasion will be set up at Merchant Square in the Merchant City.

The city of Barcelona always welcomes Celtic and our supporters so warmly and it is right that we should offer our good friends the same hospitality.

We are sure the Fanzone will be very popular with supporters of both clubs and we look forward to everyone who attends enjoying the venue, enjoying the city and enjoying the famous Celtic welcome.

The venue will provide an opportunity for fans to gather and meet and there will be music and entertainment on offer to supporters.

The event will run from 12.30pm – 5.30pm and supporters travelling in the official Barcelona party are advised to be on board their bus by 5.45pm latest for the short journey to Celtic Park.

We hope you all enjoy the live music and entertainment that is provided and that you have a safe and responsible time before attending the match.

I’ve always believed that if it were not for geographic restrictions on our licence to play then we would be more global than Mancherster United or Barcelona both.

I might not live to see the day that that belief might become a reality but if we break the restrictive bonds that bind us I see no reason why my sons might enjoy Celtic as global giants of both sporting and charitable renown and integrity.

Superb article Paul, brought tears to my eyes reading it, a unique Club with unique Supporters and a world-wide brotherhood that will never be broken. Greetings & Best Wishes to Celts everywhere on this momentus day.

During the UEFA Champions League clash with Barcelona a 360 panoramic image will be taken of the full house at Celtic Park in what will be the biggest match of the season so far for the club, as “FanPic” comes to Paradise.

Fans will then be able to view the image via the official Celtic website from 9pm on Thursday and pick themselves out amongst the capacity crowd.

Options will also be made available for fans to “tag” themselves within the image on Facebook to highlight their attendance at this glamorous fixture!

Hmmmm… Might not get as drunk as I would like before the game if my wee Ma and the Mrs will be able to pick me out later on.

I’m not one to do this kind of thing normally but I think it’s a nice idea. I’m sure most of you have your own charities etc but if in light of today’s excellent article from Paul67 you’re feeling benevolent Redonline have set up a John Lewis Gift List to buy a present for a child that’ll be spending Christmas in a refuge. The details are here: http://www.redonline.co.uk/news/sam-baker-s-daily-letter/john-lewis-refuge-gift-list

Excellent article – a football team created out of adversity with charitable aims at its fundamental core – 125 years later we can look back with pride on the achievements both on and off the field. Long may it continue and you never know one of these days the wider community in Scotland may also recognise and appreciate our achievements.

Great article Paul, thank you Celtic and thank you CQN my life as a Celt abroad has been enriched and expanded since that first day I wandered in here by mistake and like Celtic the gift just keeps giving and giving…

ADVERTISEMENTS

ADVERTISEMENTS

Celtic Quick News

Welcome to the new look Celtic Quick News where you will find the latest Celtic news and features, posted 365 days a year! You can join the conversation too! Simply register and have your say below the blog posts at the top of the site. For more information please email [email protected]